Entrepreneurial Excellence Podcast

Adam Spector
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Entrepreneurial Excellence, the podcast that unlocks the secrets of running a successful startup. Get ready for captivating interviews with industry experts, thriving entrepreneurs, and visionary leaders. Deep dive into topics like crafting killer business ideas, optimizing operations, and mastering the art of scalability. Join us for empowering insights and practical advice that will propel you towards your entrepreneurial dreams.

  1. 5d ago

    She Runs 3 Businesses at Once. What Does She Know That Most CEOs Don’t? with Alicia Williams

    Alicia Williams knows that running a business sometimes means making decisions people may not like. After years in HR and mental health, and now running three businesses at once, she has learned how to balance caring about people with doing what the business needs to survive and grow. She shares what she looks for when hiring, why warning signs often show up before someone even starts, and how becoming a business owner changed the way she thinks about employees, performance, and money. She also explains why founders often waste their most valuable resource: their own time. In this episode, Alicia breaks down her “Shortcut to CEO”: get help and delegate. She explains why founders need to stop doing everything themselves, how she decides what to hand off, and why a business that cannot run without you may just be another full-time job.  Key Topics: -Why doing the right thing in business sometimes means making tough decisions -How to spot red flags before you make a bad hire -Why your time may be more valuable than the money you are trying to save -The “Shortcut to CEO” and why founders need to delegate -Why a business that depends entirely on you is really another full-time job -How to build a business that supports your life instead of controlling it Timestamps: 01:15 Doing the Right Thing Can Hurt the Bottom Line 03:34 Business Is Not Friendship. It’s Business. 16:20 You Can Spot a Bad Hire Before They Even Start 19:33 The Best Hiring Test Is Surprisingly Simple 33:12 Most Founders Forget Their Time Is Not Free 37:17 Anyone Can Become a CEO. The Hard Part Comes After. 39:48 Delegate Everything You Hate Doing 41:03 The Real Cost of Running Three Businesses 47:11 The Shortcut to CEO Is Simpler Than You Think 47:34 If Everything Depends on You, You Don’t Have a Business 50:14 The “Beach or Bank” Rule for Saying No 54:06 If You’re Making Excuses, You’re Not Making Money Connect with - Alicia Williams: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/humanityinhr Website:humanityinhr.com (Company) youturnbhs.com (Company) humanityinhr.as.me (Company) Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast⁠ Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24⁠Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.hirechore.com/resources/podcast

  2. Sep 3

    He Went 5 Years Without a Salary — Then Built Companies Worth Millions with Rob Catalano

    Rob Catalano shares why entrepreneurial excellence begins when the excitement of a new idea wears off. After more than 20 years building companies, including Achievers and WorkTango, he learned that success is less about having the perfect idea and more about staying committed through difficult years, adapting when the market changes, and surrounding yourself with people who can help execute the vision. After helping scale Achievers to hundreds of employees and later bootstrapping WorkTango before its acquisition, Rob experienced two very different paths to building a company. He breaks down why he preferred the bootstrap journey, how finding the right co-founder shaped his career, and why hiring the right people has been one of his biggest advantages. He also shares the recruiting process he has trusted for nearly two decades and why a bad hire can cost far more than taking extra time to find the right person. In this episode, Rob also explores how AI is changing hiring, marketing, and go-to-market in 2026. He explains why founders should understand the problem before building the product, why smart generalists may have an advantage in the AI era, and why there are no simple growth shortcuts anymore. At the core, this conversation is about building for the long term, becoming an expert in your space, knowing when to delegate, and staying willing to evolve as both the company and the market change. Key Topics: -Why most founders fail even when they start with a strong vision -Why the right people can matter more than having the best product -How talking to 100 customers can completely change what you build -Why bootstrapping gave Rob a better experience than raising venture capital -The 18-year hiring method that helped Rob avoid costly hiring mistakes -Why AI will not make everyone an expert in sales, marketing, and business Timestamps: 01:08 Entrepreneurial Excellence Starts After the Idea Stops Being Fun 04:49 Why Most Founders Eventually Give Up 07:12 The Most Important Pattern Behind Successful Companies 11:32 The Secret to a Co-Founder Relationship That Lasts 15:16 How to Find Real Product-Market Fit 20:32 How to Delegate Without Losing Control of Your Company 23:25 Why Bootstrapping Was Better Than Raising Capital 26:55 The Recruiting Process Rob Has Trusted for 18 Years 31:09 A Bad Hire Costs Far More Than a Long Interview 32:32 How AI Is Changing Who Companies Need to Hire 34:58 Why Smart Generalists May Win in the AI Era 36:38 Why Go-to-Market Is So Difficult in 2026 39:57 Why AI Agents Need a Shared Operating Layer 42:24 Can AI Giants Eventually Replace Smaller AI Companies? 47:36 There Are No More Magic Bullets in Marketing 49:47 The Advice Rob Would Give Himself 20 Years Ago 52:04 Give to Your Community Before You Try to Sell to It Connect with - Rob Catalano: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/robcatalano Website: https://www.wysdym.ai/ Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast⁠ Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24⁠Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.hirechore.com/resources/podcast

  3. Aug 27

    6 Million Users, Zero Ad Spend: Why Organic Growth Isn’t About Going Viral with Colin Hodge

    Colin Hodge shows why massive organic growth is rarely about finding one viral hit. After growing DOWN to 6 million users without spending money on ads, he learned that real growth comes from constantly testing ideas, spotting small sparks of traction, and figuring out which ones are worth turning into bigger growth engines. As the founder behind Bang With Friends, which later became DOWN, Colin experienced nearly every side of entrepreneurship: explosive growth, getting sued by Zynga, being removed from Apple’s App Store, founder burnout, selling his company, and eventually buying it back. He shares how those experiences shaped his views on resilience, ethical growth, and why founders need people around them who can challenge their thinking. In this episode, Colin breaks down the psychology behind organic growth, why smaller companies have an unfair advantage over established competitors, and how standing out can create opportunities that traditional marketing cannot. At the core, this conversation is about building differently, knowing when to push against conventional wisdom, and creating sustainable growth without losing yourself along the way. Key Topics: -Organic growth is about finding small sparks, not chasing one viral hit -How Bang With Friends reached 1 million users in just three months -Growing DOWN to 6 million users without spending money on ads -Why smaller companies have an unfair growth advantage over bigger competitors -How founder burnout can lead to major decisions like selling too early -Why the best growth strategies use human psychology to stand out and drive action Timestamps: 01:20 The Best Entrepreneurs Are Defined by Resilience 06:39 The Honest Conversation That Created Bang With Friends 09:50 Great Entrepreneurs Know When to Challenge Conventional Wisdom 12:52 What If Tech Companies Optimized for Users Instead of Attention? 24:06 The Sketchy Growth Tactics Dating Apps Still Use 27:09 Bang With Friends Hit 1 Million Users in Three Months 30:48 Why Apple Kicked Bang With Friends Out of the App Store 32:06 The Brand That Made Them Viral Became Their Biggest Problem 36:31 Getting Sued and Kicked Off the App Store Nearly Broke Him 38:51 How DOWN Grew to 6 Million Users With Zero Ad Spend 39:06 Organic Growth Is Not About Finding One Viral Hit 40:33 Building a Company Without a True Co-Founder Led to Burnout 42:42 Selling Too Early Cost Him a Much Higher Valuation 45:00 The Growth Playbook Built From 100 Million Users 48:06 How a $100 Cup of Gelato Became a Viral Growth Strategy 52:00 Small Companies Have an Unfair Advantage Over Giants 55:00 Founders Should Delegate What They Do Not Want to Master 1:05:39 Have More Faith in Your Vision and Stop Treating It Like a Sprint Connect with - Colin Hodge: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/ckbhodge Website: colinhodge.com Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast⁠ Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24⁠Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.hirechore.com/resources/podcast

  4. Aug 20

    The Old Way of Building Companies Is Dying with Kevin Henrikson and Jason Shafton

    In this episode, Adam sits down with Kevin Henrikson and Jason Shafton to explore what it really takes to build and stay competitive in a world being reshaped by AI. They break down how AI is changing entrepreneurship, why raising more money isn't always an advantage, and why companies that fail to adapt may find themselves falling behind faster than they expect. The conversation dives into what it means to build an AI-first team, why simply giving employees access to AI tools isn't enough, and how leaders can rethink hiring, productivity, and even entire roles. Kevin shares how one AI engineer job posting attracted more than 2,000 applicants, while Jason explains why high agency, curiosity, and the ability to adapt may become some of the most valuable traits in the workforce.  More than a conversation about AI tools, this episode is about how entrepreneurs need to think differently as the rules of business continue to change. From building defensible companies and creating more productive teams to staying relevant without burning out, Kevin and Jason share what founders can do today to prepare for an economy where AI isn't simply an advantage—it is quickly becoming part of the way business gets done. Key Topics: -AI is changing what it takes to build a successful company -Companies that refuse to adapt to AI risk being left behind -High agency and curiosity are becoming essential skills in the AI economy -The best teams use AI to automate work and increase their output -Businesses should rethink the work before automatically hiring more people -Brand and distribution are becoming powerful moats when products are easier to build Timestamps: 04:19 Has AI Changed What Business Success Looks Like 06:17 Why Your AI Startup May Have No Real Moat 09:37 Why Services Businesses Could Be the Next Big Opportunity 11:46 How Do You Build an AI First Team 12:59 What Happens to Companies That Refuse to Use AI 14:50 Will People Who Ignore AI Still Be Employable 17:39 How One AI Job Posting Got 2,166 Applications 19:29 Why Young Professionals Are Struggling to Find Meaningful Work 20:33 Why Talented People Still Choose Jobs Over Starting Companies 23:36 The Trait That Will Matter Most in the AI Economy 23:57 Who Will Actually Stay Relevant in the Next Five Years 26:11 How to Get Your Team to Actually Use AI 27:39 If It Takes Time Automate It 28:32 Eliminate Automate Delegate 29:32 When Is It Time to Replace a Role With AI 33:03 What Is Still a Real Business Moat in the AI Era 35:28 Why the Best Products Are Not Always Winning Anymore 35:54 How Do You Keep Up With the Relentless Pace of AI 39:06 Building at the Speed of AI Is Not for Everyone 40:25 Will Businesses That Ignore AI Slowly Die 43:29 What Keeps Successful Entrepreneurs Hungry 48:51 How Should You Prepare for the AI Economy 49:24 Build Something People Actually Want to Buy 52:15 The One Trait Every Entrepreneur Needs Connect with - Kevin Henrikson: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/kevinhenrikson: Website: crunchbase.com (Other) acompli.com (Other) angel.co (Other) Connect with - Jason Shafton: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/jasonshafton Website: winstonfrancois.com Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast⁠ Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24⁠Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.hirechore.com/resources/podcast

  5. Aug 13

    5 People, 30 Bots: Is This the Future of Work? with Christine Song

    In this episode, Adam sits down with Christine Song to talk about what happens when AI removes the need for layers of management. As teams get leaner, the advantage shifts to people who can think for themselves, communicate before being asked, and take ownership without needing someone to constantly manage them. Christine breaks down why the traditional career ladder may be disappearing, why some leaders struggle to give up control, and what a future of “five people and 30 bots” could actually mean for companies. She also gets candid about founders who want high-performing teams but aren't prepared to hear uncomfortable truths from the people closest to them. This is a conversation about a new standard for work: fewer layers, more ownership, and leaders who are secure enough to let great people do great work. Key Topics: -AI is raising the bar for employees who wait to be managed -The best people take ownership before someone tells them what to do -Proactive communication creates trust and earns more autonomy -Traditional career ladders may disappear as teams become leaner -Great culture requires leaders to stay aligned, not just the CEO -Founders need people around them who are willing to tell them the truth Timestamps: 01:26 What Entrepreneurial Excellence Really Means 04:01 How to Hire People Who Actually Take Ownership 07:31 How to Spot a True High Performer 10:55 Is Micromanagement Dead in the Age of AI 14:18 Why AI Will Push the Best Employees to the Top 15:41 You Are the Entrepreneur of Your Own Career 16:57 Will AI Replace HR Managers 19:01 Why Proactive Communication Gives You More Freedom 23:29 Why the Traditional Career Ladder Is Disappearing 24:28 The Future Could Be Five People and 30 Bots 27:08 Culture Cannot Come From the CEO Alone 29:39 Should You Fire Leaders Who Refuse to Get Aligned 31:01 What Great Startup Culture Actually Looks Like 35:51 Can You Build a High Performance Culture Without Making People Miserable 38:46 Why People Will Work Incredibly Hard for the Right Founder 40:51 Every Founder Needs Someone Who Will Tell Them the Truth 50:50 The Real Cost of Making a Bad Hire 1:13:55 Why Great Founders Still Have to Learn How to Be CEOs Connect with - Christine Song: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/songchristine1 Website: 5to9society.com Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast⁠ Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24⁠Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.hirechore.com/resources/podcast

  6. Aug 6

    You Won The Wrong Game with Dr. Yishai Barkhordari

    In this episode, Adam sits down with Dr. Yishai to challenge one of the biggest assumptions in entrepreneurship: that success automatically means you're on the right path. They explore why some founders build successful companies while quietly feeling stuck, exhausted, or pulled in different directions, and why real progress starts with being honest about what you actually want your business and your life to look like. The conversation unpacks why so many founders carry unnecessary pressure, how guilt quietly drains focus, and why balance is less about dividing your time equally and more about knowing where your attention belongs in each season of life. Dr. Yishai also shares why great founders don't try to be great at everything, how the right coach helps uncover blind spots that AI still misses, and why your biggest limitation is often the story you're telling yourself without realizing it. More than a conversation about business, this episode is about learning how to think with more clarity when the stakes are high, make decisions with greater confidence, and build a company without losing yourself along the way. Key Topics: -Success without alignment often comes at a hidden personal cost -Great founders build businesses around what matters most to them -Balance comes from shifting priorities not dividing time equally -Your emotions can reveal what needs your attention -The best leaders focus on their strengths instead of doing everything -A great coach helps uncover blind spots that AI still cannot see Timestamps: 06:13 Can You Be Successful Without Being Aligned 09:26 The Biggest Lie Founders Tell Themselves 12:18 Your Emotions Are Giving You Important Data 13:25 Why Work Life Balance Is a Myth 16:48 The Hidden Trait Shared by Great Founders 18:22 Your Zone of Genius Is Your Greatest Advantage 21:22 Why High Performers Get the Most Out of Coaching 27:35 Does Every Founder Need a Coach 29:58 How to Find the Right Coach Without Wasting Money 31:24 Why Asking for Help Makes You Stronger 32:18 Nobody Is Great at Everything 34:13 Stop Doing Work Someone Else Can Do 36:09 Is Executive Coaching Actually Worth It 37:42 The Hidden Reason Your Business Stops Growing 39:20 How to Measure the ROI of Coaching 42:19 AI Coach vs Human Coach Which One Wins 44:26 The Biggest Blind Spot AI Still Cannot See 46:10 The Blind Spot That Changes Everything 47:18 Why Founders Struggle Under Pressure 47:50 Pressure Is Not What You Think It Is 49:52 The First Time Will Always Be the Hardest 51:52 Your Brain Is Trying to Help You Not Hurt You Connect with - Dr. Yishai Barkhordari: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/dryishai Website: dryishai.com Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast⁠ Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24⁠Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.hirechore.com/resources/podcast

  7. Jul 30

    The Biggest Hiring Lie Every Founder Still Believes with Adam Gellert

    Adam Gellert explains why most companies are hiring the wrong way and why relying too much on resumes often causes them to miss great people. He shares how founders can build stronger teams by focusing on trust, attitude, grit, and the real business problem they need to solve instead of simply checking boxes on a CV. In this episode, Adam talks about why speed is one of the biggest advantages in hiring, why "hire slow, fire fast" is a flawed mindset, and how the best founders treat recruiting as one of their highest priorities. He also shares practical lessons from building recruiting businesses that help startups and small businesses hire top talent faster. At its core, this conversation is about making better hiring decisions, building systems that attract the right people, and creating businesses that grow because of great teams, not just great ideas. Key Topics: -Resumes are not the best way to identify great talent -The fastest companies often hire the best people -Trust attitude and grit matter more than a perfect background -Great founders treat hiring as one of their most important jobs -Delaying a hire can cost more than hiring the wrong person -Building the right team starts with solving the right business problem Timestamps: 02:29 Hiring Is About Getting the Best Person Fast 04:42 Stop Filtering People Out and Start Finding the Right Ones 06:13 The Three Traits Every Great Hire Needs Trust Attitude and Grit 07:25 Recruiting Is Much Simpler Than Most Founders Think 09:42 How to Hire Without Relying on Resumes 14:46 Why You Should Never Trust a Resume Too Much 17:00 We Completely Rebuilt Our Hiring Process 18:03 Entrepreneurship Is About Becoming an Athlete of Business 19:03 Grit Cannot Be Taught 20:14 If You Need Motivation Make It Cost You Something 21:19 Why I Paid for an Office During the Recession 25:29 The Moment I Realized Recruiting Was My Calling 26:04 Why Every Startup Should Hire Top Talent Within 48 Hours 30:13 The Biggest Hiring Mistake Founders Make 32:03 Great Founders Spend Up to Half Their Time Recruiting 33:34 Your Business Will Fall to the Level of Your People 34:47 The Fastest Founders Win the Best Talent 36:07 Speed Is the Greatest Hiring Advantage 38:15 Hire Slow Fire Fast Is One of the Biggest Lies Ever Told 38:44 Delaying a Hire Is More Expensive Than Hiring the Wrong Person 40:21 Why the First Sales Hire Is So Difficult 43:44 The Three Traits Every Great Salesperson Shares 45:58 The Most Overlooked Early Hire for Founders 47:04 Every Job Needs a Clear Outcome 49:33 Specialists Usually Beat Generalists 51:01 Remote vs Office Which One Actually Wins 53:26 How to Decide the Right Salary for a New Hire 01:13:06 The One Piece of Advice Every Entrepreneur Needs 01:14:13 The World's Best Entrepreneurs Stay Focused on the Big Picture Connect with - Adam Gellert: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/adamgellert Website: linkusgroup.com (Company) hirehipo.com (Company) recruiteradam.com (Personal) Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast⁠ Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24⁠Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.hirechore.com/resources/podcast

  8. Jul 24

    When It's Time to Leave Your Safe Job and Build a Business with Chieh Huang

    Leaving a safe career to build a business sounds exciting, until you're the one making the decision. In this episode, serial entrepreneur Chieh Huang shares what it's really like to leave a prestigious law career, build multiple startups, experience successful exits, take a company public, go through bankruptcy, and start all over again. He explains why entrepreneurship is never a straight line, why there is never a perfect time to start, and what separates founders who keep going from those who quit. Chieh Huang is a serial entrepreneur and the co-founder of AstroApe, Boxed, and Pelago. His first startup was acquired by Zynga, he later helped build Boxed into a public company, and his TED Talk, Confessions of a Recovering Micromanager, has been viewed millions of times. Today, he's building Pelago, a platform helping companies improve the employee offboarding experience. He discussed: -Why there is never a perfect time to leave your safe job and start a business -The mindset that tells you it's finally time to become an entrepreneur -Why every startup eventually breaks—and why that's completely normal -How Boxed grew from a garage startup into a public company with over 1,000 employees -The biggest leadership mistake founders make as their company grows -What bankruptcy, being fired from your own company, and starting over taught him about success Timestamps 00:01:20 What Makes an Entrepreneur Truly Great? 00:04:36 Why He Walked Away From a Dream Career 00:10:23 What the First 6 Months of a Startup Really Look Like 00:12:15 Why You'll Never Feel Ready to Start a Business 00:13:34 The One Sign It's Time to Go All In 00:14:43 Why Starting a Business Isn't as Risky as You Think 00:17:17 Why He Left Zynga to Build Something Bigger 00:18:03 How Boxed Went From a Garage to a $900M Company 00:20:04 The Truth Every Founder Learns the Hard Way 00:22:42 Why They Turned Down Acquisition Offers 00:26:04 The Collapse That Changed Everything 00:32:53 The Leadership Mistake That Nearly Cost Him Everything 00:39:44 Getting Fired From the Company He Built 00:44:19 Will AI Create More Entrepreneurs or Kill Jobs? 00:46:04 How Success Changed After Building Multiple Companies Connect with - Chieh Huang: LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/chiehhuang Website: Pelgo.com Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence Podcast: LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneurial-excellence-podcast⁠ Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/@EntrepreneurialExcellencePod TikTok - ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@eepodcast24⁠Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570329516959 Website - https://www.hirechore.com/resources/podcast

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About

Welcome to Entrepreneurial Excellence, the podcast that unlocks the secrets of running a successful startup. Get ready for captivating interviews with industry experts, thriving entrepreneurs, and visionary leaders. Deep dive into topics like crafting killer business ideas, optimizing operations, and mastering the art of scalability. Join us for empowering insights and practical advice that will propel you towards your entrepreneurial dreams.

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